Page 113 of Snowbound Threat

I’d planned it all out carefully. They wouldn’t reach her in time to save her and I’d make sure they never found me. I’d disappear into oblivion somewhere. Maybe change my name. Become a blonde even.

I smile at the possibility. When I reached the entrance of the cave again, I squint through the fading light. Yes, Ryan is stillwhere I left him. Probably dead by now. No sign of the sheriff but he had to be close. Now was the time.

Back inside the cave, I see she had managed to sit up and was working on getting her hands in front of her. Foolish Charlie. She never even realized how close the answers were.

I walk into the cave right past Charlie and return to where I left the detonator. I push it down. A breath later, the entrance to the cave collapses onto itself.

They’d hear the noise.

They’d try to save her.

But there wouldn’t be enough time.

Chapter Twenty-Four

“Ryan. Hang on. Help is on the way.”

Ryan recognized Boone’s voice. He opened his eyes and stared directly into the concern on the sheriff’s face. “Where’s Charlie?” His worst fear raced through his fuzzy thoughts.

“We’ll find her.”

She wasn’t there. Ryan tried to move but Boone kept him down. “You’ve got to stay still. The ambulance is close.”

“I can’t lose her.” The words slurred. His vision blurred.

“You’re not doing anything but going to the hospital buddy. You’ve been shot.”

Ryan focused on Boone’s face. This was serious. He’d been shot and was fading fast. He had to hang on for Charlie.

“Find her, Boone. Please, find her.”

“I will.” Boone’s attention shifted. “There’s the ambo.”

Soon the familiar faces of the town’s EMTs replaced Boone’s.

Ryan was aware of them working to save his life but it took all his focus to hold onto consciousness.

“We’re ready to transport.” Gavin Rhoades, the lead paramedic announced.

Boone leaned over him. “We have a trail. We’re going after her now. As soon as we have Charlie, I’ll bring her to you.”

“We have to go, Sheriff. Now.” The strain in Gavin’s tone confirmed the seriousness of Ryan’s condition.

“Go.” Boone squeezed Ryan’s hand. “She’ll be there waiting for you when you come out of surgery.”

The hint of tears in Boone’s eyes ripped Ryan’s heart to shreds. Would he survive long enough to see his Charlie again? To finally know what happened to Abby all those years ago that had sent a madman into enough of a panic to kill again?

“Time to find out the truth, Charlie.”

No. The bottom fell out of her world. It wasn’t possible. Her heart wouldn’t let her accept the voice of the person who had taken her.

Until the blindfold was removed and all doubt was taken away.

“Lila?” Even though she looked right at her best friend it wasn’t the Lila she knew any longer.

Lila giggled with glee. “I got you, didn’t I? You never suspected me, admit it. It’s on your face.” Lila spun around the cave before returning to Charlie. She jabbed her finger onto Charlie’s forehead. While Charlie tried to gain control of her spiraling fear, Lila’s face instantly sobered. “But you would have figured it out soon enough. He told you, didn’t he?”

Charlie had to hold on. Had to believe Boone would have found Ryan by now. She couldn’t think about seeing Ryan lying on the cold, snowy ground, blood covering his shirt and not fall apart. She had to stay strong for him.